ENCORE: Gossip Girls | Part II

Summary

Scamfluencers: ENCORE: Gossip Girls | Part II – Detailed Summary

Released on March 10, 2025 by Wondery

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Introduction and Background

In the gripping second installment of the two-part series "Gossip Girls," Wondery's hosts, Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi, delve deeper into the tumultuous journey of Canadian sisters Jyoti and Kiran Mathuru. Accused of running the notorious Nigerian gossip blog "Nyja Just Live," the sisters found themselves entangled in a web of deception, international law enforcement, and personal turmoil. This episode meticulously unpacks their harrowing experiences, shedding light on the darker side of online influence and its real-world consequences.

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The Mathuru Sisters' Ordeal

Detainment in Lagos, Nigeria

The story begins in December 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria, where Jyoti and Kiran Mathuru are abruptly detained by police. In a chaotic raid, their hotel room is invaded, and they are stripped of their phones and passports, effectively imprisoning them in a cramped, airport hotel room. Sarah Hagi recounts:

Sarah Hagi [01:15]: "It's December 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria. Kiran Mathuru and her sister Jyothi have just spent a traumatic night in a crowded jail cell."

Introduction of John, the Bail Bondsman

Fortunately, Jyothi manages to contact a friend who sends an associate, John, to act as their surety—a role akin to a bail bondsman. John becomes a pivotal ally, helping the sisters navigate their initial detention. Kiran describes him as:

Kiran Mathuru [02:39]: "He's an older man, very, very happy... he actually cheered us up half the time we were there."

Escape Attempt and Confinement

John employs a clever strategy to distract the guards by offering them beers, which leads to their temporary freedom. However, without their passports, fleeing the country is impossible, forcing them to return to their original hotel. Their attempts to contact the Canadian consulate prove futile, leaving them reliant solely on their wits.

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The Role of Femi Otedola

Confrontation with Femi Otedola

The situation escalates when Officer Philip Adebowale reappears, escorting the sisters to Femi Otedola's opulent residence. Femi, a wealthy petroleum magnate, is depicted as manipulative and vengeful. Jyoti recounts:

Jyoti Mathuru [08:19]: "That's not freedom, but I guess it's getting out of jail."

At Femi's mansion, the sisters are coerced into making a videotaped confession, further complicating their predicament. Kiran reflects on the manipulation:

Kiran Mathuru [22:31]: "I wish we listened to you because she knew he was gonna use it and post it online."

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International Setbacks: Interpol and Italy

Interpol's Red Notice

Shortly after their release from Nigeria, the sisters face another crisis when Kiran is detained in Venice, Italy, due to a red notice issued by Interpol—a global police cooperation organization. Sarah Hagi explains:

Sarah Hagi [34:26]: "Interpol's watch list is basically a list of fugitives... In 2017, the agency said it issued more than 13,000 red notices."

Kiran's detention is a direct result of the unresolved charges from Nigeria, plunging the sisters into an international legal quagmire.

Life in Italian Detention

Kiran endures harsh conditions in a women's prison on Jodeca Island, where she faces language barriers, inadequate legal support, and the psychological strain of wrongful detention. Sarah narrates her struggles:

Kiran Mathuru [28:35]: "They locked me in a room again and my passport was taken away."

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Clearing Their Names

Legal Battle and Media Outreach

Back in Canada, Jyoti takes matters into her own hands, becoming an unofficial international law expert. She collaborates with a human rights lawyer and leverages media exposure to challenge the Interpol red notice. Through persistent efforts and strategic media engagement, including an interview with the New York Times, the sisters begin to dismantle the false accusations against them.

Resolution and Exoneration

In August 2018, their relentless pursuit leads to the deletion of their names from Interpol's database, effectively clearing their record. Jyoti shares the moment of triumph:

Jyoti Mathuru [37:14]: "The letter says that Interpol has deleted their names from its database. That weight has been lifted. Finally."

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Aftermath and Reflections

Return to Normalcy and Continued Vigilance

While the sisters regain their freedom, they remain under the shadow of Interpol's watch list, limiting their ability to freely travel. Reflecting on their journey, they emphasize the psychological scars and the systemic failures they encountered.

Jyoti Mathuru [40:22]: "It's not a good advertisement for Canada."

Rebuilding and Moving Forward

Determined to reclaim their lives, Jyoti and Kiran venture into new entrepreneurial endeavors, including recipe blogging and providing relationship advice. Their experiences have not only shaped their personal lives but also influenced their professional paths.

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Insight and Analysis

Understanding Scamfluencers

Through the ordeal of the Mathuru sisters, the episode underscores the vulnerabilities associated with online influence. It highlights how social media personas can become entangled in real-world dangers, especially when influenced by powerful adversaries.

Jyoti Mathuru [40:19]: "They're guilty of being influencers, I guess."

Critique of Institutional Support

The sisters' struggle also brings to light the inadequacies of governmental and consular support in international crises. Their frustration with the Canadian consulate's delayed response raises critical questions about the protection afforded to citizens abroad.

Jyoti Mathuru [40:22]: "These are two Canadian citizens who are saying, we're in trouble, we've been arrested... it's like, no, this is an emergency. Figure it out."

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Notable Quotes

• Jyoti Mathuru [02:12]: "Compared to where they were in jail. They must be so happy to be at this hotel."

• Kiran Mathuru [08:19]: "That's not freedom, but I guess it's getting out of jail."

• Jyoti Mathuru [22:31]: "I am floored. This is a scary movie to me."

• Sarah Hagi [34:26]: "Interpol's watch list is basically a list of fugitives... In 2017, the agency said it issued more than 13,000 red notices."

• Jyoti Mathuru [40:22]: "These are two Canadian citizens who are saying, we're in trouble, we've been arrested... it's like, no, this is an emergency. Figure it out."

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Conclusion

"Scamfluencers: ENCORE: Gossip Girls | Part II" offers a compelling narrative that intertwines personal tragedy with a broader commentary on the perils of online influence. Jyoti and Kiran Mathuru's story serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of social media, personal relationships, and international law enforcement. Wondery's meticulous storytelling not only captivates listeners but also prompts critical reflection on the societal structures that enable such scenarios.

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For those intrigued by this episode, "Scamfluencers" is available on the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. Early access and ad-free listening are available through Wondery+.

Transcript

[Sachi Cole]

Wondery subscribers can listen to Scamfluencers early.

[Sarah Hagie]

And ad free right now.

[Sachi Cole]

Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app or Apple Podcasts.

[Sarah Hagie]

This is part two of our two part series, Gossip Girls. If you haven't listened to the first episode yet, that is a really chaotic decision and I highly recommend you go back and listen to part one. Sarah, hello.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Hey, honey.

[Sarah Hagie]

I think I know the answer to this question, but I'm gonna ask it anyway. Were you the type of kid who like, snuck out at night without your parents knowing and you, like, got up to some mischief, you know, back in Canada, you tipped some cows. You did donuts in a Tim Hortons parking lot. Tell me all about it.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Sachi, two things. All right, you're assuming that I had the kind of friends who were cool enough to sneak out, right? And second of all, no. Are you kidding me? The fear of God was in me. I'm still scared of my parents. If I would have done that, I wouldn't be here today.

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, this is why I think this story is so interesting about the Matharus. Because they had upbringings like we did and yet they're out and about. They have all these daring escapes.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I know, it's like low key inspiring.

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, this episode is the most of everything. And Sarah, I cannot wait to tell you all about it. It's December 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria. Kiran Mathuru and her sister Jyothi have just spent a traumatic night in a crowded jail cell. Remember, cops barged into their hotel room, took their phones and passports and carted them off to prison. They're accused of running Nyja Just Live a vicious gossip blog, even though they've been talked about on the blog and it's written in pin, a language that they don't actually speak. And now police have relocated Jyoti and Kiran to an airport hotel. Their room is dark and cramped. It's got that airport hotel thing where staying there for one night is convenient, but any longer than that risks sucking out your soul. There's one bed, a small tv, and a couple of chairs with a small side table. It's not literally prison, but it sucks.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Okay, Compared to where they were in jail. They must be so happy to be at this hotel.

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, luckily, when police first barged into their hotel room, Jyothi called a friend and that person thought to send one of their associates down to the jail. This associate, it's a guy we're going to call John. He volunteers to be the sisters surety. A surety is kind of like a Bail bondsman, someone assigned to make sure that the sisters show up for court hearings and don't flee the country. Here, here's Jyoti.

[Kiran Mathuru]

He's an older man, very, very happy. Like, I've never met anybody like him. And he actually cheered us up half the time we were there. When I was crying, he would be like, stop crying. Nobody's seeing your tears. Why are you wasting them? Like, that was his attitude.

[Sarah Hagie]

John is a local who's got ties to the police force. And he becomes an ally to the Matarus, someone who really keeps them going. And on their first night there, John pulls a pretty slick move as Kieran tells it.

[Sachi Cole]

Basically, he told one of the guards, like, hey, you know, why don't you eat something? Have some beers on me.

[Kiran Mathuru]

It's on me.

[Sachi Cole]

And he. So the guard started drinking beers. He had about seven star beers, which is a lot.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

This is like a cartoon. Like a cartoon way to distract a prison guard. Get him real drunk and then he'll fall asleep and you can sneak out with your old timey key.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah. So the sisters say that at this point, the officer passes out on the table, and then John says, great, grab your things. And it may seem like they should just get the hell out of Nigeria. But the cops took their passports and without them, they can't leave the country. Plus, if they go on the run, they could put John at risk. So they're on the clock. They've got to find a way to help and get back to the airport hotel before the officer wakes up. John drives them back to their original hotel in the bougie Victoria island neighborhood of Lagos. And there, Jyothi's finally able to borrow a phone to call the Canadian consulate. The sisters talk to a consulate worker who swears he's taking notes, which is not exactly confidence boosting stuff.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Oh, the bureaucracy of Canada.

[Sarah Hagie]

The sisters just asked that Canada send a representative to the court to be sure that their rights are protected and also so that someone knows where they are. And the consulate worker says, yes, okay, he'll have someone give them a call, even though they had just explained that they don't even have their phones. The Mathru sisters are thousands of miles from home. And at this point, it's pretty clear that the only thing they can rely on is their wits. When you look at powerhouse brands like aloe and Skims, crushing it. Sure, great products and killer marketing matter. But here's the real it's the business behind the business that makes everything run smoothly for millions of brands. That's Shopify.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

Who's the traitor?

[Sarah Hagie]

What is the truth?

[Jyoti Mathuru]

And who will survive? The answers will put their loyalty to the ultimate test. Black Bag features an award winning cast including Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, reggae Jean Page, Marisa Abella, Naomi Harris, Tom Burke and Pierce Brosnan. Smart, sexy, surprising and seductive, Black Bag will keep you guessing until the very end. It's the most exciting film of the year.

[Sarah Hagie]

Black Bag Rated R under 17. Not admitted without parent or guardian. Only in theaters March 14 with special engagements in Dolby from Wondery. I'm Sachi Cole. And I'm Sarah Hagie and this is Scamfluencers. Come and give me your attention. I won't ever learn my lesson. Turn my speakers to 11. I feel like a legend. In our last episode we talked to Jyoti and Kiran Mathuru, Canadian sisters who have mastered the art of dating billionaires. Just like me and Sarah, obviously. And some gossip blogs say that they're scamming their boyfriends. But the real scam starts when a supposedly jealous ex femi Otedola allegedly gets the cops to detain the sisters on bogus charges. The sisters are used to being talked about, but now they have to confront the most explosive accusation yet, that they are behind one of the country's most notorious gossip blogs and Sarah. It's one hell of a story. This is the finale of our two part series, Gossip Girls. A couple of days after their call to the Canadian consulate, Jyothi and Kiran are back in their airport hotel room. Officer Philip Adebowale shows up again. He's the Nigerian police officer who questioned them originally and he tells them he's taking them back to their original hotel, the Echo Signature in Victoria island, but only so that they can get dressed up and put on makeup. And they really have no choice but to do what he says. So they arrive at the Echo Hotel, and as you can imagine, getting dolled up with a police officer watching is, well, it's not the most relaxing experience. And they're not prepping for a night out clubbing. Officer Philip has another destination in Femi Otedola's house.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

That's not freedom, but I guess it's getting out of jail.

[Sarah Hagie]

It's an activity, let's say. So Kieran's ex, Femi is a multimillionaire who made his money in petroleum. He's the guy who named his yacht after his wife and then allegedly brought his mistresses there. Very cool. And he only uses an old Nokia phone because he is paranoid as hell. The sisters say that he is next level petty and will stop at nothing to settle scores. So they have a feeling that the policemen are holding them hostage at Femi's request. And I should say here we reached out to Femi through his company and he did not respond to an email seeking comment. Okay, so back to the story. The sisters roll up to Femi's mansion and it reminds Jyothi of a mansion in Miami like the one in Scarface. It's a place that she and her sister have been before many times when Femi and Kiran were dating. But tonight, the house seems eerie. Things are off. Kiran and Jyoti are brought into Femi's all white living room. There's a wall with all of his accolades, magazines with his face on the covers, and a small replica of the Nana, his $12 million yacht.

[Kiran Mathuru]

Femi comes and sits down in the living room and he's acting like he has nothing to do with this. He's like, oh, I hear you're in some trouble.

[Sarah Hagie]

That's Jyoti describing the scene. She says that Femi offers them drinks and casually reveals that he called the guy Kieran's currently dating. Here's Kieran.

[Sachi Cole]

I really think he was enjoying it because when he told me that he called my boyfriend, he was grinning, like, in such a weird way, like openly saying, like, oh, I called him, you know, just to let him know what's going on.

[Kiran Mathuru]

I wanted to let him know.

[Sachi Cole]

Yeah, that's the tone.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

This guy is scary.

[Sarah Hagie]

I know. Everything about this is just bizarre. And it's extremely stressful for the sisters, as you can imagine. But they also know that Femi is just like this. Jyoti says that everything with Femi was always some dramatic scene. They tell Femi they have nothing to do with Naija, just live. And Femi says he believes them. He promises that he'll call the police commissioner and have them release their passports. The sisters say he's trying to play it both ways, to deny that he has anything to do with their situation and to be the hero. But he's also giving them dark warnings, even threats. He says he could have the sisters locked up for years if they don't cooperate. He tells them about the time he locked a journalist in his kitchen for days as punishment for unfavorable coverage. And he adds, marilyn Monroe was killed because she knew too much about a Kennedy.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I am floored. This is a scary movie to me.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yes, it's so eerie. But regardless, Jyothi hopes that maybe Femi can help them out. But Kieran tells her he's lying. There's nobody left they can trust. They can't rely on the police. Femi's got them wrapped around his finger and it's still crickets from the Canadian consulate. And now their scandal is about to break the Internet and become front page news on the gossip logs. After their meeting with Femi, Jyothi and Kiran are shuttled back to the hotel near the airport, where they're being constantly watched. The sisters keep their suitcases packed at all times, just in case the police make them switch rooms again. And they're forced to eat the same crummy hotel meals over and over again. Instant noodles and rice and breakfast sausages that are actually just hot dogs. But the girls don't have their phones or any other way to access the Internet. And even the windows are sealed shut. The air is stale. They wait and wait and wait. Days go by, and the thing they thought would be a minor inconvenience is turning into an international incident with no end in sight. The situation is extremely bleak, and the sisters are gaming out every possible scenario. But they can't see a way out. It's unclear when, if ever, they'll be released from police custody. More than a week into their hostage situation in the hotel, Officer Philip comes back. He tells the sisters that they're going to court and their first stop is the bank.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

That is not where you should be going before court.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, I mean, it's not great. According to the sisters, Officer Philip tells them to withdraw a whole heap of money. Their understanding is they have to pay off the prosecutor who will split this bribe with the judge. They've also got to pay off four bondsmen and they have to pay bail. I'm putting bail in air quotes here because at this point, Jyoti and Kiran say they haven't even seen any paperwork, no charging papers, no lawyer. They don't know if any of this is actually happening through the courts or if it's just people being influenced by Femi to with them. We weren't able to reach out to Officer Philip Adebowale, but in an interview with the New York Times, he denied any collusion with Femi. As soon as the sisters step inside the courtroom, a photographer takes their picture. And those photos immediately show up on gossip blogs with stories saying Jyothi and Kiran were blackmailing photos. Femi, one of the country's richest men. Sarah, check out these photos.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I'm guessing this is kind of like the courthouse or the prison. It looks like they're in some sort of official building. They're fully dressed down, like you've never seen them before. I wouldn't recognize them, to be honest. Yeah, and I mean, it's clear they don't think they're photos being taken here. Like they're just sitting beside each other telling someone a story. It looks like.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, they just look a little lost.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Yeah, exactly.

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, here's what Jyoti says about their so called court appearance.

[Kiran Mathuru]

They took us to a back room in the courthouse. Everybody else was being called up by case number. We don't have a case number. They called us to the back room and the prosecutor gave the judge whatever he did or discussed it like, I'll give it to you later. And we left. That's it.

[Sarah Hagie]

Okay, let's just recap quickly. The sisters never meet with a lawyer. The court hearing is a little more than a gossip blog photoshoot. And the Canadian consulate is nowhere to be found. And just when it seems like it can't get any worse, the Mathru sisters meet someone else who's accused of running the gossip blog. And he shows them just how bad it could get in court. The sisters meet a web designer named Babatunde Oye Body. He's the other person accused of running Nyjah Just Live. He tells them he was hired to design the site by an anonymous person and that he's been held by police on and off for for months. And his was not an extended hotel stay. Here's Kiran. And then Jyothi, he said that they.

[Sachi Cole]

Like, hung him upside down, beat him, all kinds of things. Cause he wouldn't admit to owning something that he doesn't own.

[Kiran Mathuru]

And he's local, so it's different for him than it is for us. You know, they put him through a lot more than they put us through.

[Sarah Hagie]

Jyoti and Kiran feel so bad for Babatunde. So according to the sisters, they pay part of his bail along with their own.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Okay, so I don't really understand this whole bail bribe thing. Like, they had to take money out for a bribe, but they're paying bail? Like, I just don't know what the difference is here.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, I mean, the sisters tend to use bail and bribe interchangeably. And it seems like within the confines of what they're dealing with in Nigeria, it is kind of the same thing, because they don't even know if they're actually arrested.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Yeah, there's, like, no paperwork or anything at this point. Right, right.

[Sarah Hagie]

But even though the sisters are playing ball, they still don't have their passports. They're brought back to the airport hotel that night. And listen, if you're tired of me taking us back and forth from this airport hotel in the story, imagine how they must feel. It's been nine days since the plainclothes officers first barged into their hotel and took them to the police station. They're nearly at their wit's end, but then they catch a huge break. One of their guards takes pity on them, knowing that they must be bored out of their minds. Plus, it's December 26th, so I can't imagine that this cop is thrilled to be working the day after Christmas. So he gives the sisters their phones back. Finally, Jyoti and Kiran have access to the outside world. But they say that the guard who returned their phones warns them not to post anything on the Internet. But there is a lot more that they can do. Sarah, what do you think is the first thing they do after they get their phones back?

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I'm gonna say post something on the Internet.

[Sarah Hagie]

Actually. They call their parents.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Oh, that's sweet.

[Sarah Hagie]

That's sweet. I mean, wouldn't you? And they tell their folks not to believe anything they read online because word has gotten out that the sisters are being held. Outlets all over the world are carrying the story. Sarah, take a look at these headlines.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Oh, my God. This is crazy. I mean, New York Post, Kardashian look alike Sisters accused of Sextortion, Toronto Sun, Toronto Sisters and Nigerian Sex Scandal. And, like, there's the Buzzfeed one that Says popular Instagram sisters arrested for attempting to extort a Nigerian billionaire.

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, the girls also check their email, and Jyoti opens up one from the High Commission of Canada, also known as the Canadian consulate. And the subject line is update on well being. Apparently, staffers at the Canadian consulate have seen pictures of the sisters all over media, and now they want to know how can they help? Jyoti tells them that they need temporary passports. So the next day, when another bored cop bails on guard duty, John, who's their bail bondsman guy, he takes the sisters to the consulate. There, they apply for temporary passports. They fill out an application, provide a written statement. They give them four references and ask their parents to provide birth certificates. And the consulate says, cool, thanks. We'll process this and get back to you soon.

[Kiran Mathuru]

It's not like the movies, you know, where you run to the embassy and you're safe, nobody could touch you. It's nothing like that. Nobody cares. Like, if you're in another foreign countries, their rules, like, don't try to do anything and think your embassy can help you because they literally have no power.

[Sarah Hagie]

So it's back to the airport hotel for Kiran and Jyothi. Oh, and while they're holed up with their phones, they check out Naija Just Live. And it's been updated while they've been detained without any electronics. But even that doesn't help the Mataru sisters case. And before long, their story goes from being local gossip fodder to an international scandal.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

Yeah? You are a quints girly through and through.

[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

Scampod that's hungryroot.com scampod code scampod to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your Choice. For Life. Hungryroot.com pod code scampod I feel like Less than a week after their bogus court hearing, the sisters say there's a knock on their hotel room door. It's an associate of Femi's perched on the edge of the hotel bed. Femi's associate allegedly tells the sisters that he fully thinks they're guilty of running the website. But he knows a way out of this mess. If they just make an apology video and confess to owning the site, he says that he'll arrange to set them free. So Jyoti says that this associate threatened her and her sister. They said that if they didn't agree to film the confession, they'd be locked up in a maximum security security prison. Kieran does not want to make the video, and in hindsight, Jyoti sees her point.

[Kiran Mathuru]

I wish we listened to you because she knew he was gonna use it and post it online. But I, I like to think of a plan, you know how I am. So I like to have a backup backup plan. So mine was like, while the embassy's working on this if they did give us our passports back. Because obviously, even if he wanted to release the video, I'm like, who cares? Let it just happen and let's get our passports.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I mean, I do see it both ways. Like, either doing the video or not could both have the same bleak outcome. So it's like, all right, may as well just see if this will free us.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah. And they're scared. So they agree to a videotaped confession. Kiran stays silent. Jyoti reads from the Notes app.

[Kiran Mathuru]

We apologize to Femi Ochedola and his family, especially his wife and children and all the other petitioners. We created a platform called nigerjustlive.com and co where people can send in stories. Most stories were sent by close friends or associates of people being written about.

[Sarah Hagie]

The video is so eerie, Sarah. And now, knowing the whole backstory, it's almost hard to watch. They must have been so nervous and so afraid, even though they can laugh about the story now.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Yeah. I could not imagine confessing to something that harmed my life so much that you didn't do. They didn't do this. And also it made their lives worse.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah. And after filming the video, the associate leaves. And nothing changes. Their guard has balanced again. So John takes the girls to the consulate, where the Canadian officials tell them their emergency passports are still under review. The girls have had it. They're sick of this whole ordeal and the incompetence of their jailers and home country officials, so they decide to take matters into their own hands. The next day, Officer Philip returns, and he says he isn't holding their passports anymore. The court has them. But honestly, at this point, why should they believe him? The sisters are sick of being lied to. And the cops, they're getting sick of this whole situation, too. It's been more than two weeks, and Jyothi suspects they have not been paid. To add insult to injury, Officer Philip has the audacity to sit there on his phone planning a New Year's party right in front of them. So rude. So Kieran kicks him out.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I'm kind of confused right now as to how the relationship with Officer Philip is or, like, just what they're able to do and not do because, like, they just kicked him out, you know?

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah. I mean, it seems like all of the guards. I'm using that word very loosely here, are very much over this assignment and just, like, come and go when they please. And so Jyothi and Kiran review a list of lawyers that the consulate gave them. Jyothi picks a Lawyer from the list, one who used to live in Canada. He comes to meet them and says that the consulate needs some proof of what's happened, actual paperwork. So the sisters send this lawyer and John back to court with a wad of cash. They bribe a court clerk and finally get what they've wanted all along. The charging papers in Femi's case against the owner of Naija just live. And it is lousy with mistakes. It claims that Jyothi and Kiran conspired with Babatunde on the site when they'd never even met him before. And it claims that they were in Nigeria blackmailing and threatening to kidnap Femi the previous July, when actually Jyothi and Kiran were in Miami back then. And the charging sheet, it doesn't even have a case now. There's no prosecutor listed, no date for arraignment or plea or bail. And most importantly, there are no bail conditions, no travel restrictions. So their passports are actually being held illegally. The lawyer gets in touch with the Canadian consulate immediately to book some FaceTime. And with his help, they explain the situation. And according to the sisters, the lawyer writes up an official statement. And then Karen asks about another option.

[Sachi Cole]

I had found something else called an emergency travel certificate, because for the temporary passport, it was under review and they weren't giving us any updates on it. So I got fed up too, and I said, okay, if you can at least get us this. It's a piece of paper basically that verifies that you're a Canadian citizen and you have to fly directly into Canada.

[Kiran Mathuru]

Single entry, Single entry. And you hand it in when you land.

[Sarah Hagie]

So the next morning, they wake up to a bunch of missed calls from the consulate. Their emergency travel document has been approved. The sisters are so relieved. And now the only thing standing between them and freedom is a ride to the airport. Consulate officials show up on New Year's Day to take the sisters to the airport. And the guards just let them go. It's been two weeks, and Jyothi suspects that they never got the payday they were hoping for. The sisters make the consulate workers stay at their side until they board the plane. And Jyothi's thinking, what are we going.

[Kiran Mathuru]

To do to get out of here?

[Sarah Hagie]

By this point, their story has become international news and reporters are showing up at their parents house. The sisters decide not to talk about their experience publicly. They want to let the dust settle, and they don't want to risk any harm coming to John, their bail bondsman back in Nigeria, who helped them escape. But they don't Stay put for too long. They're back to traveling again right away. They just don't post about it online.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Are you kidding me? They're back to traveling? No, I. I'd be like, I've had enough for the rest of my life. I've seen more than most people see in their lifetime.

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, Sarah, I have some news for you. Because in late summer of 2017, Kieran gets the chance to take another trip.

[Sachi Cole]

I was going to go to Italy with just one of my friends. He said he needed to buy furniture for his Nigeria house. So we were gonna go for, I think, a week.

[Sarah Hagie]

Kiran says, yes, duh, I'll go to Italy. But Jyothi has a bad feeling. She tells her sister, don't go. Kiran doesn't want their experience to keep her from living her life, so she decides to go on the trip. And Sarah, that's when the nightmare begins all over again. Kira lands in Italy in September 2017, about nine months after she left Nigeria. The Venice airport is modern and sleek, a contrast to the old world appeal of the ancient city. And Kiran can't wait to experience everything Venice has to offer, including luxury shopping. But as she waits for her bags, an Italian customs officer approaches. Here's Kiran.

[Sachi Cole]

They locked me in a room again and my passport was taken away. They wouldn't answer my questions. They didn't speak English. They didn't tell me why I was there. And I was trying to just argue and say, like, is this about Nigeria? Because I have my paperwork and proof. I can show it to you. And they were just not hearing me at the time.

[Sarah Hagie]

Kieran is in a full on panic. She can't believe that this could be happening to her again. Eventually, she does find out that there is a red notice on her passport from Interpol. What do you know about Interpol, Sarah?

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Well, I know that they're like world cop, so it's like it stands for International Criminal Police Organization. And it's just a way for law enforcement to work all together so that they can arrest people.

[Sarah Hagie]

That's true. Well, Kieran is distraught, and this time she doesn't have Jyoti there for support. Kiran's allowed to call her sister, but only briefly. And she tells Jyoti that she's under arrest in Italy. And the Italian police whisk her away to a women's prison on a little ferry.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Oh, mamma mia. Here we go again.

[Sarah Hagie]

At least it's cute. The prison is on Jodeca, an island in the Venetian lagoon. And it's inside an old convent and thankfully, it is nothing like the Tsar's prison the sisters were kept in that one night in Nigeria. Kiran's cell in the women's prison is a large shared room with six beds, high ceilings, a huge window, and a separate bathroom. They don't even have uniforms. The inmates are expected to wear their own clothes. But when they see the clothes Kieran has packed, the prison officials say they're too fancy. She has to rifle through a bin of donated clothes and underwear. For the first couple of weeks in prison, Kieran isn't allowed to call anyone. She's assigned a lawyer who doesn't speak English. And Kieran can only understand enough to know that her lawyer and the judge have her case all wrong. It is beyond frustrating.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

This is absolutely nuts.

[Sarah Hagie]

But luckily, back home in Toronto, Jyoti isn't waiting around. She finds a human rights lawyer in Italy who speaks fluent English. And they figure out that Kiran's been detained because of the red notice on her passport. And now the Nigerian government has 40 days to produce paperwork proving that Kirk Kieran is wanted in relation to a crime. Her lawyer tells her that if the government comes through with the paperwork, she could be in prison for months.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Oh, my God.

[Sarah Hagie]

And in the meantime, Kieran settles into a life at the women's prison. And one of her fellow inmates is a Nigerian woman who speaks Italian and English. She translates for Kiran and lends her some of her clothes. And she helps Kieran learn the ropes. The women in the prison exfoliate with coffee grounds. They use lemon on their scalps for dandruff, and they even do sugar waxing. Sarah, get this. The women are actually allowed to cook their own meals at this prison. So they grow organic produce in what the locals call the Garden of Marvels. So Kieran channels her passion for food and cooks for herself and the inmates. Lots of pasta. That's not even an Italy joke. It's true. They even have Nutella in there.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Sounds kind of like a daycare.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, she's in forced Italian daycare. But after all that waiting and uncertainty, the Nigerian government never files the documents. So on day 41 of her imprisonment, Kiran is released. She's allowed to fly home. But back home, there's just one problem. Both of the sisters names are still on Interpol's watch list. If they ever want to get back to their jet setting lifestyle, they've got to settle things with the international police once and for all. Okay, let's be real. With everything getting more expensive these days, the last thing any of us needs is Credit card Debt piling up. But here's the thing. You still need to build good credit to get ahead in life. Whether you're dreaming about that family vacation, hoping to buy a home someday, or just trying to land that perfect apartment rental, your credit score matters.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sarah Hagie]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

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[Sachi Cole]

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[Jyoti Mathuru]

All right.

[Sarah Hagie]

So Interpol's watch list is basically a list of fugitives. It's people wanted in court or people who need to serve a sentence after they've been found guilty of a crime. When someone's added to the list, Interpol sends out what they call a red notice all over the world, which alerts police in almost 200 countries. In 2017, the agency said it issued more than 13,000 red notices. The list has included people like Osama bin Laden and Joseph Kony.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

So it's a real who's who.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, it is the greatest party you could ever be invited to. But the list is also used as a tool for oppressive Governments looking to hunt down political refugees and dissidents. Jyoti and Kiran were more than a little shocked to learn that they'd made the list. Here's Jyothi.

[Kiran Mathuru]

I always thought Interpol only took serious cases. I had no idea. I've only heard of it in, like, Bond movies, literally. So to be in this and fighting this notice just seems so silly that you could take a personal relationship, like a personal vendetta, and turn it into this case.

[Sarah Hagie]

For months, the sisters worked to clear their names from the database, all without the help of a lawyer. Jyoti just can't handle explaining everything to yet another legal representative, so she does it herself. And when we talked, she showed me her dossier of documents. It's impressive. She's basically an international law expert at this point.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I really respect her for trusting herself and taking matters into her own hands. I mean, dealing with lawyers and not knowing the legal system when you're truly going through shit, must be hell.

[Sarah Hagie]

I wouldn't want to do it. So Jyothi reaches back out to John. She sends him money, and he comes back with more paperwork. This is from the Federal High Court in Lagos. And it shows that the case citing Jyothi, Kiran and Babatunde for extorting Femi and owning Naija Just Live, has been struck out for want of prosecution. No one ever brought a legitimate case. So the sisters send those documents off to Interpol for review, and they decide to fight their case in the media as well. So when the New York Times Canada correspondent Dan Levin asks them for an interview, Jyothi and Kiran say yes. They figure that having their story in the newspaper of record can only help their case before Interpol. And Jyothi says that after Dan bugs Interpol trying to get answers, there's finally some movement in their case. In August 2018, according to the New York Times, the sisters get a package in the mail from Interpol. Jyothi has a pit in her stomach. If their appeal is denied, then all the work she did to clear their names will have been for nothing. She opens it carefully, and inside is a letter that says that Interpol has deleted their names from its database. That weight has been lifted. Finally.

[Kiran Mathuru]

I still have, like, dreams that I'm back in Nigeria. And, like, I'm thinking in my mind, why did I come back? Like, what if I can't leave? It's, like, traumatizing.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

That is really a different type of stress dream that is not missing the school bus, you know?

[Sarah Hagie]

Well, Sarah, if this story makes you want to pull Up Nyjah Just Live right now. Don't bother. It basically doesn't exist. There's a few posts archived online, but it seems like the site was hacked or disabled. As for Femi, well, he's still very rich, and he actually became a bit of an Instagram influencer himself with 1.4 million followers. Babatunde Oyebadi, the graphic designer slash rapper who was also accused of owning Nyjah Just Live, he has an Even bigger following, 1.5 million on Instagram.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Good for him.

[Sarah Hagie]

As for the sisters, after going on the social media hiatus when they got back from Nigeria, based on their lawyer's advice, Jyoti and Kiran are now back to posting. And even though the experience was obviously so stressful for their parents, Jyoti says that their family sees a different side of things, too.

[Kiran Mathuru]

My dad, we were sitting at dinner one day after all this stuff happened, he was just like, you know, I'm so proud of you guys. Anybody else under these circumstances, they would just be depressed and, like, hiding out.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

My dad would definitely be like, you should never go on the Internet again.

[Sarah Hagie]

Yeah, I think also my father would probably take my passport away. Well, Kiran has tried her hand as a recipe blogger and a caterer. Jyothi wrote a guide for people getting a Brazilian butt lift. Here's one of her don't wear designer clothes to your consultation or the surgeon will rip you off.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

That is so smart. And literally the only thing stopping me from wearing designer clothes when I go to surgery consultations.

[Sarah Hagie]

That's practical advice. Well, through the sisters website, Jyoti also offers something called booty calls, which is where she offers advice about BBL concerns. And she says that most of those calls end up devolving into her giving people relationship advice. So obviously I've signed up.

[Kiran Mathuru]

Okay.

[Sarah Hagie]

Sarah, do you feel like the sisters are scammers, or is Femi a scammer? Is no one a scammer? Is everyone a scammer?

[Jyoti Mathuru]

I don't think they're scammers in the traditional sense. I do think they are. You know, they're influencers, and influencers kind of fall into scammer territory sometimes. Yeah, but I can't really think of anything they specifically lied about or faked or pretended to be other than that one confession.

[Sarah Hagie]

Sarah, we talked to them so much and we heard so much about what happened to them, so obviously I'm inclined to believe them because they talk to us. But do you believe them?

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Yeah, I don't think they have a real reason to lie. This wouldn't have benefited them in any real way. It's pretty clear they didn't make the website. And I feel like the lack of proof in all moments of this investigation showed that they really had nothing to do with it. I mean, they're guilty of being influencers, I guess.

[Sarah Hagie]

Do you feel like the Canadian government should have done more to help them out?

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Oh my God, absolutely. Like, these are two Canadian citizens who are saying, we're in trouble, we've been arrested. We don't know how to navigate this system. And, and they are going to this consulate and they're just being like, okay, your paperwork is being processed. It's like, no, this is an emergency. Figure it out. Get them somewhere safe.

[Sarah Hagie]

This is not a good advertisement for Canada.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

It's not a good advertisement for any government or traveling or even, you know, having a man sweep you off your feet. But also never rely on a rich person to give you opportunities and experiences. Even though they did find success on their own while in Nigeria as well. It is a story about being at the whims of rich people. And again, like they were at the whims of these rich people because they had this aspirational idea of being these kind of jet setting influencer sisters. And to me it's like, don't try and influence.

[Sarah Hagie]

Don't try to influence. Don't try to have a new experience. Don't broaden your horizons. Stay home and be quiet. Quiet.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Go to Marciano. Do your work. Go home.

[Sarah Hagie]

Lessons learned all around. If you like scamplancers, you can listen to every episode early and ad free right now by joining Wondery plus and the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts. Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music. Before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey. This is part two of our two part series gossip Girls.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

We used many sources in our research. A few that were particularly helpful were How To Date a Lot of Billionaires by Dan Levin in the New York Times and the Untold Story of the Canadian Kardashians in Toronto Life by Alexandra Kimball.

[Sarah Hagie]

Jessica Ford wrote this episode. Additional writing by Sachi Cole and Sarah Hess Aggie. Additional reporting by Sarah Enny. Jen Swan is our senior producer. John Reed is our producer. Our associate producers are Charlotte Miller and Tate Busby. Sarah Enny is our story editor. Our senior story editor is Rachel B. Doyle. Fact checking by Sonya Maynard. Our music supervisor is Scott Velasquez for Freeze on Sync. Adrian Tapia provided audio assistance. Our sound design is by Jay Rothman Our executive producers are Jeanine Cornello, Stephanie Jens and Marshall Louie for wondering.

[Jyoti Mathuru]

Sasha.

[Sarah Hagie]

Hated sand, the way it stuck to things for weeks. So when Maddy shared a surf trip on Expedia Trip Planner, he hesitated. Then he added a hotel with a cliffside pool to the plan and they both spent the week in the water. You were made to follow your whims. We were made to help find a place on the beach with a pool and a waterfall and a soaking tub and, of course, a great shower. Expedia made to travel.